‘Iran is Not Venezuela’: Tehran Warns US Against Plundering Resources
According to a report by the Tehran Times, the top official from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters explicitly cautioned Washington, stating that Iran is not Venezuela, where the U.S. can simply move in and plunder natural resources at will. This statement comes at a time when tensions surrounding the waterway are at an all-time high, adding a sharp new dimension to the ongoing Middle East crisis.
General Assadi emphasized that the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz belong entirely to Iran and its neighboring regional states. He asserted that American leaders have no right to impose their will or establish dominance in these waters. Labeling U.S. policy as "bullying," he remarked that such behavior is a source of shame even for the American people. He further alleged that the "enemy" is attempting to seize control of this critical route to exploit the region's oil and resources for their own interests—a plan he vowed Tehran would never allow to succeed.
The Strait of Hormuz is a global energy chokepoint, with a significant portion of the world's oil supply passing through it, meaning any instability there has immediate negative impacts on international markets. In response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to maintain a naval blockade, General Assadi stressed that the Iranian people remain united and ready to mount a fierce resistance against any aggression. He concluded by stating that regional affairs fall entirely outside of U.S. jurisdiction and that Iran will not compromise even an inch when it comes to protecting its sovereignty.
